Hunting in Laos: how I fell in a trap

Last night, I followed Lana and her girlfriend Tani to what sounded like a major cultural adventure: a Lao rock concert.

The venue was a massive entertainment complex in the middle of nowhere, a twenty minute drive from Vientiane, the capital. It all seemed like a prime opportunity to meet some Lao youngsters.  And indeed, young Lao men were aplenty.

The singer for one, was particularly sexy. As we stepped in, Lana told me in her broken English: “Look. Lot young man here. Tonight we find young man for you.” Well, I only wish.

When the Tani’s friend, the man who’d invited us, turned up, I understood why we’d been led straight to the VIP area. As we were being introduced, and despite the general loudness, I got the following: “This is Tones. This is his club. He single.” Clearly, Tones had been given similar info about me. Possibly even earlier on. Something like: “Tonight farang woman coming. She French. She single too.”

From then on it seemed rude to go and chat up young customers. I’d clearly been earmarked for the boss who, without being ancient, was somewhat older than me. However, I didn’t want to create a diplomatic incident. Thankfully, he was quite handsome and Lao men do look younger than their age. He also kept the drinks coming, which was nice. So I took a deep breath and went with it. I didn’t even hit on the singer when he joined us for a drink and a few photos later on. Good girl me.